Dressing for a nursing mother

Abstract

A dressing for the irritated breast of a nursing mother is described. The dressing is composed of hydrocolloid and non-adherent protective layers for covering the injured nipple and areola.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dressing comprising a hydrocolloid layer on a polymeric sheet and a non-adherent protective layer on the center segment of the hydrocolloid layer contiguous with the polymeric sheet or the non-adherent protective layer on the center segment of the polymeric sheet with the hydrocolloid layer ringing the non-adherent protective layer on the polymeric sheet, the dressing having an outer edge, an inner surface formed by the hydrocolloid and non-adherent protective layers and an outer surface formed by the polymeric sheet. 
     
     
         2 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein at least the non-adherent protective layer has a three dimensional shape adapted to provide delicate contact, or minimal contact or substantially no contact with breast tissue when the dressing is applied to a breast. 
     
     
         3 . A dressing according to  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocolloid comprises at least a hypoallergenic carbohydrate and/or a hydrophilic synthetic hydrogel or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . A dressing according to  claim 1  wherein the non-adherent protective layer is hypoallergenic, has a thickness of at least about one millimeter and comprises a silicone material, a cellulose derivative material, a polyester material or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . A dressing according to  claim 4  wherein the non-adherent protective layer is capable of containing up to at least about 40 percent by weight water relative to the total weight of the non-adherent protective layer. 
     
     
         6 . A dressing according to  claim 4  wherein the non-adherent protective layer has an average length and width or diameter each of up to about 35 mm to about 65 mm. 
     
     
         7 . A dressing according to  claim 3  wherein the hydrocolloid layer has average length and width dimensions or a diameter of up to about 6-7 centimeters and a thickness of up to about 40 mm. 
     
     
         8 . A dressing according to  claim 7  wherein the non-adherent protective layer has an average perimeter dimension of up to about 1 to 2 centimeters. 
     
     
         9 . A dressing according to  claim 7  wherein the hydrocolloid layer has a circular outer edge describing a diameter of up to about 6 to 7 centimeters and the non-adherent protective layer has a length and width describing a circular circumference of a radius of up to about 5 centimeters. 
     
     
         10 . A dressing according to  claim 1  wherein the hydrocolloid layer is capable of absorbing water up to about 70 percent of the weight of the hydrocolloid. 
     
     
         11 . A dressing according to  claim 4  wherein the non-adherent protective layer is a silicone material, is hypoallergenic and the silicone material has minor T and Q links and flexible, soft properties. 
     
     
         12 . A dressing according to  claim 11  wherein the silicone material is a silicone MDTQ hydrogel or is a silicone copolymer with dimethylsilicone segments and hydrophilic (meth)acrylate ester or vinyl alcohol or allyl alcohol polymer segments or a dimethylsilicone polymer with side chains of and hydrophilic (meth)acrylate ester or vinyl alcohol or allyl alcohol polymer. 
     
     
         13 . A dressing according to  claim 4  wherein the silicone material, cellulose derivative material and/or polyester material is mixed with a high average molecular weight hydrogel to provide a non-adherent protective layer-hydrogel combination. 
     
     
         14 . A dressing according to  claim 13  wherein the non-adherent protective layer combination retains and/or contains water at a percentage of up to 60 percent of the weight of the mixture. 
     
     
         15 . A dressing according to  claim 14  wherein the combination maintains its water percentage at least for 10 hours while in contact with ambient condition. 
     
     
         16 . A dressing according to  claim 1  wherein the outer surface of the hydrocolloid layer is covered by a microporous polymeric sheet. 
     
     
         17 . A dressing according to  claim 1  wherein the outer edge of the inside surface of the hydrocolloid layer is coated with a non-tacky hypoallergenic adherent coating for binding the dressing to skin. 
     
     
         18 . A dressing according to  claim 1  further comprising a release sheet polymer covering the inner surface of the dressing. 
     
     
         19 . A dressing according to  claim 1  wherein the dressing is suitable as a protective covering for a nursing nipple. 
     
     
         20 . A dressing according to  claim 1  wherein the dressing at least partially alleviates a painful nursing nipple. 
     
     
         21 . A dressing according to  claim 1  wherein the outer surface of the dressing has a series of printed circular outlines designed for cutting the dressing to a custom size for a nursing breast. 
     
     
         22 . A package containing a dressing of  claim 1  contained in a container, sack or bag. 
     
     
         23 . A method for use of a dressing according to  claim 1  comprising removing the dressing from the package and if a release sheet polymer covers the inner side of the dressing, removing the release sheet polymer, optionally cutting the dressing to custom size and applying the inner side of the dressing to a nursing breast. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23  wherein the non-adherent protective layer is centered on the breast nipple. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24  wherein at least the outer periphery of the hydrocolloid layer of the dressing has a mildly adhesive edge. 
     
     
         26 . A dressing according to claim I wherein the dressing has a center axis perpendicular to the plane established by the perimeter of the dressing and the center axis is length adjustable, the length adjustment providing an adaptation of the non-adherent protective layer to accommodate variations of nipple sizes. 
     
     
         27 . A dressing according to  claim 26  wherein adjustment of the length of the center axis provides a set of non-adherent protective layer lengths along the center axis. 
     
     
         28 . A dressing according to  claim 2  wherein the three dimensional shape of the non-adherent protective layer is adapted to be raised or elevated slightly above the surface of the tissue.